Harness-buckle.



' Patented Sept. 3, IBM. A. SHEPHERD. HARNESS BUCKLE.

(Application filed Mar. 29, 1901 (No Model.)

iilllll bglyzsscs UNITED STATES PATENT QFF CE.

ALFRED SHEPHERD, OF MALTABEND, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAMM. ROZELL, OF SAME PLACE.

HARNESS-BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,988, datedSeptember 3, 1901.

Application filed March 29, 1901. Serial No. 53.548. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED SHEPHERD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Maltabend, in' the county of Saline and State of Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Harness-Buckles;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to whichit appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain improvements in harness-buckles.

It provides for flexibility of connection between the buckle-frame andthe back-band and girth to reduce to the minimum the rubbing or chafingof the horses back, the movement of the horse thus being compensatedwhich would otherwise be transmitted to the pad or back-band. It alsopromotes length of use of the buckle orbuckle-frame. Also it removeswear otherwise heretofore exerted upon the straps or back-band and girthand dispenses with casting or forming loops for said parts upon saidframe or buckle.

It consists of the novel construction and combination of parts,substantially as hereinafter more fully disclosed, and specificallypointed out by the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment ofmy invention, Figure l is a side view. Fig. 2 is a vertical section.Fig. 3 is a view showing certain parts disassembled but relativelyarranged.

Latitude is allowed herein as to details, as they may be changed orvaried at will without departing from the spirit of my invention and thesame yet remain intact and be protected.

In carrying out my invention I construct the buckle or buckle-frame 1substantially as heretofore in its general outlines, but without theback-band and girth-strap loops. In lieu of said loops I connect up withsaid buckle or frame 1 clips 2 2 one at the upper side and one at thelower side thereof. To these clips are connected loops 3 3* by links 33, respectively, to effect connection between the same and the back-bandand girthstrap, respectively. The links 3 are connected at their upperends to the pendent ends of the clip 2 and at their lower ends to theloop 3 for the girth-strap, the connection being efiected in each caseby the use of headed-down rivet-like pivots 6 6, thus articulating orflexibly connecting the same together. The clips 2 2 are indented orrecessed laterally, as at 2 to receive the opposed end portions of thelinks 3 3 to effect the fitting flushly of said links therewith. Thisarrangement provides for the independent play or movement, as requiredmore particularly of the back-band, to enable it to conform to orpartake of the movement of the back-pad to prevent the last-namedchafing or frictionally rubbing the horses back, as would otherwise bethe case. Also the increased liability of rendering the buckle or frameprematurely useless, which has been found to arise with the back-bandand girthstrap loops cast directly therewith, is overcome, said loopsthus cast or constructed having worn out considerably sooner than thebuckle or frame itself. Also the Wear and tear upon the back-band andgirthstrap have been found to be excessive Where attached directly tosaid frame or buckle, as is obviously the casein casting theirattaching-loops with said frame or buckle. This, it is apparent, isgreatly lessened by forming, as herein, a flexible connection betweenthe straps and said frame or buckle. Within each of said clips isarranged, preferably, a triangular plate or stop 7, held upon or havingpassed therethrough the same pivot or rivet connecting the clip to theloop-attaching links. The plates or stops 7 are each preferably groovedor concaved at one edge to receive and reduce friction between the sameand the opposed side bar of the buckleframe with which it engages toprovide for holding the clips as against edgewise movement, the primarypurpose of said stops. Said clips have their lateral edges bent orformed with flanges 7 to prevent edgewise movement of said stops orplates 7.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a harness-buckle, a strap'attaching loop, a clipconnected to said buckle, and links connected to said clip and to saidloop, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination,with a harness-buckle, of a strap-attaching loopconnected thereto by a clip and links, said clip having arranged thereina stop or plate with one edge engaging a side bar of the buckle-frameand said clip and links having a lateral pivotal movement and anedgewise pivotal movement, respectively, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a harness-buckle, of a strap-attaching loopconnected thereto by a clip and links, said clip having arranged thereina stop or plate with one edge engaging a side bar of the buckle-frame,said sidebar-engagin g edge of said stop being grooved or concaved andsaid clip and links having a lateral pivotal movement and edgewisepivotal movement, respectively, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a harness-buckle, of a strap attaching loopconnected thereto by a clip and links, said clip having arranged

